Golfers of all ages and abilities from across England gathered at the National Golf Centre, Woodhall Spa last week for a series of handicap finals and produced a cracking five days of competition.
England Golf’s ‘Golf Week’ is the culmination of a season of qualifying events for handicap golfers.
It is recognised by all the competitors as a celebration of the club game as much as a fight for silverware with a chance to socialise and enjoy a presentation dinner the night before each event starts.
Over 300 golfers, supported by friends, family and teachers, travelled to Woodhall Spa Golf Club to play on either the Bracken or Hotchkin Courses in a bid to win a national title.
Once again, the weather was kind to the competitors with all five days played in bright sunshine and the courses drawing widespread praise from all the players.
In each event, there could only be one winner and below are the details of the six champions who enjoyed an occasion they will never forget.
Race To Woodhall Spa
Andrew Heelis from Benton Hall Golf Club emerged as the winner of the Race to Woodhall Spa with a fantastic total of 40 Stableford points on the Hotchkin Course.
The Race to Woodhall Spa is open to all male golfers who are members of an affiliated club. Winners of club qualifiers progressed to the final – with Heelis from Essex taking this year’s honours.
Heelis finished two shots clear of his nearest challenger, Daniel Towle from Sherwood Forest Golf Club, in a field featuring 36 players
Heelis produced a sparkling back nine to come home in 23 points and lift the prize.
Women’s Medal Final
Sleaford’s Sophie Robinson enjoyed success in her home county of Lincolnshire with a brilliant performance in the Women’s Medal Final.
A total of 43 qualifiers from clubs across England gathered to play the Hotchkin Course and Robinson took the plaudits.
Playing off a course handicap of 22, Robinson amassed 42 Stableford points to win by seven points from runner-up Frieda Pring from Cape Cornwall.
Sophie started as she meant to continue with a birdie on the opening hole and rounded off her round with a net eagle to cement victory.
Junior Champion Club
Westridge Golf Club’s team featuring William Lakin, Harrison Lake and Sam Callaghan made a late charge to win the 36-hole event played over both courses.
After day one on the Bracken, Westridge were tied for sixth and playing catch-up on the trio representing Ludlow Golf Club.
With the two best Stableford scores from three counting for each team, Ludlow held a six point advantage over Westridge going into day two on the Hotchkin.
However, the team from the Isle of Wight produced a fightback to record a team score of 78 points for a total of 150 points.
That allowed them to win the crown by a point from Gaudet Luce Golf Club with Ludlow two shots off the pace.
Captains
The qualifiers from 10 Captains’ events staged in the early part of the summer gathered for the 36-hole final – with Chris Whitmore taking the title.
The West Midlands Golf Club member accumulated a total of 81 Stableford points over the two days to win by six shots from Alan Richardson representing Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club.
Whitmore had booked his place in the finals through the qualifier staged at John O’Gaunt Golf Club and carried on his good form to the finals.
Three nett eagles in a row on the back nine of the Hotchkin Course proved decisive for Whitmore playing off a course handicap of 26.
Senior Series
David Long from Walmley Golf Club took the spoils in the Senior Series Final with a fine score of 42 Stableford points.
Long – playing in the final group – finished two points clear of Andrew Hurley thanks to a net eagle on the 18th hole.
A total of 64 golfers competed in the finals having qualified from 10 Senior Series events over the course of the season.
Australian Spoons
The double act of Elaine Seeley Parker and Lisa Hawkins stormed to victory in the Australian Spoons.
The finals feature the winners from the six regions of England – each team competing in a foursomes Stableford format.
The duo from Sedlescombe Golf Club in Sussex combined for a score of 34 Stableford points.
That allowed them to take the title by two points from Easthampstead’s Hazel Rogers and Maureen Bornaville.
Photography: Leaderboard
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